Device for producing uniform tow

ABSTRACT

A holddown device for compacting and flattening tow for uniform presentation to a color detection apparatus. The tow is passed under a roll which is secured at its ends to a support means and which is positioned on a plane parallel and below the working plane of the background plate of the color detection apparatus, and then passed over the background plate for color determination.

[ Feb. 15,1972

United States Patent MCGiII [54] DEVICE FOR PRODUCING UNIFORM 2,356,034 8/1944 Crockett..................................19/1I5 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS TOW France.......................................26/70 993,495 5/1965 GreatBritain.............................19/65 mm at m m m m mm m M, CM mm NH UN [22] Filed: Dec. 26, I968 [2]] App]. No.: 787,033

Primary Examiner-Dorsey Newton Attorney-James H. Barksdale, Jr. and Robert L. Broad, Jr.

ABSTRACT A holddown device for compacting and flattening tow for [52] U.S.Cl.......................................................l9/65,26/70 nows/o4 250/219 we, 219 or, 219 T11 [51] Int. Cl. [58] Field of Search...............

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 149,956 4/1874 1 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure I minimums m2 3.641.626

INVENTOR. CHARLES H. McG/LL DEVICE FOR PRODUCING UNIFORM TOW V BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to determining variations in tow color, and more specifically to a method of, and device for, preparing tow for presentation to a color detection apparatus.

2. Description of the Prior Art Heretofore, when fiber tow has been presented and passed through a color detection apparatus, which is used for monitoring color variation, the tow has not been flat, smooth, and uniform. This situation has created problems in terms of wide variations in color readings thus creating doubt as to the usefulness of the apparatus.

When a nonuniform tow is passed over a background plate, the readings are affected by the amount of surface area of the plate which is not covered by the two; this changing intermittingly and continuously. The background plate is generally shaded to a standard from which variations in color may be determined, and regardless of the method of detection, variations in tow density distort any data obtained.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A fiber tow is rendered uniform for presentation to a color detection apparatus by a device having support means adjacent the color detection apparatus, and a roll secured at its ends to the support means and positioned on a plane parallel and below the working plane of the background plate of the color detection apparatus.

In the manufacture of synthetic fibers, fibers which have been spun through a series of spinnerets are combined into tows and subjected to various treatments which can affect the color thereof. After all, or substantially all, of such treatments are complete, color is monitored whereupon any necessary changes can be determined and made. The preparation of the tow for monitoring is wherein this invention resides.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a device for compacting and flattening the tow for presentation to a color detection apparatus.

Another object of this invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive device which will effect a uniform tow.

These and other objects and advantages will become more readily apparent when read in conjunction with the remainder of the specification and considered along with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As shown in the drawing, a color detection apparatus, generally denoted by reference numeral 10, is comprised of a sensing mechanism 11, a background plate 12 having rolls 13 and 14 mounted on each end thereof, and adjusting means 15 for raising or lowering the background plate 12.

Adjacent to, and associated with, the color detection apworking plane of back round paratus in a holddown device, generally denoted by reference numeral 1, which is the subject of this invention. Holddown device 1 has support means made up of uprights 2 and 3, a roll 5 one end of which is pivotally secured to the support means as at 4, and the other end detachably secured to the support means as at 6.

The manner herein described of securing the roll, which can be rotatable, to the support means is a matter of convenience during operation. It is easily appreciated that roll 5 may be engaged with tow 7 merely by lowering roll 5 and hooking same as at 6.

Roll 5 will be positioned on a plane parallel and below the late 12. In other words, the lower most surface of r0 1 5 will ie below the working plane of background plate 12. By working plane is meant the plane of tow 7 as it passes over plate 12. Should plate 12 be provided with rolls l3 and 14 as shown, and should the uppermost surface of these rolls be above the surface of the plate, the working plane will be above the surface of the plate.

It should be pointed out that the successful operation of the device and apparatus is believed to be dependent upon both. That is, at normal operating tensions on the tow, the position of roll 5 relative to the working plane of the background plate will affect the degree of tow uniformness obtained by its passage under roll 5 and over roll 14, or the edge of background plat l2, closest roll 5 if there is no roll 14. Therefore, roll 5 should be positioned at a sufficient angle, and spaced a sufficient distance, from roll 14 for the tow to attain the desired degree of uniformness.

In operation, tow 7 is passed over plate 12 and can be presented thereto in a compacted and flattened state by engaging roll 5 therewith. By holding the tow down with device 1, the variation in color readings is decreased by fifty percent, or more.

The foregoing illustrates the essential features of the invention as well as some of the manners in which it may be practiced. Various changes and modifications may be made in practicing the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and therefore, the invention should not be limited except as defined in the appended claims.

Iclaim:

1. In combination with a color detection apparatus of the type wherein an advancing tow is passed through a sensing mechanism for monitoring the color of the tow, wherein a background plate is positioned before and in alignment with said sensing mechanism, wherein rolls are mounted on opposite ends of said background plate, the uppermost surfaces of said rolls defining a working plane parallel to said plate, and wherein means are provided for adjusting said plate toward and away from said sensing mechanism, said adjusting means being attached to a base, the improvement which comprises: support means connected to the base adjacent the color detection apparatus, said support means including uprights and a hooking means formed on one of said uprights; and a roll pivotally mounted on one upright to an upper portion thereof and the other end of said roll being detachably secured to said hooking means, said roll being rearward the plate and the uppermost portion of said roll being positioned in a plane parallel to and below the working plane of said color detection apparatus. 

1. In combination with a color detection apparatus of the type wherein an advancing tow is passed through a sensing mechanism for monitoring the color of the tow, wherein a background plate is positioned before and in alignment with said sensing mechanism, wherein rolls are mounted on opposite ends of said background plate, the uppermost surfaces of said rolls defining a working plane parallel to said plate, and wherein means are provided for adjusting said plate toward and away from said sensing mechanism, said adjusting means being attached to a base, the improvement which comprises: support means connected to the base adjacent the color detection apparatus, said support means including uprights and a hooking means formed on one of said uprights; and a roll pivotally mounted on one upright to an upper portion thereof and the other end of said roll being detachably secured to said hooking means, said roll being rearward the plate and the uppermost portion of said roll being positioned in a plane parallel to and below the working plane of said color detection apparatus. 